NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – In recent years, the success of VCU Basketball and the appeal of its telegenic "Havoc" style of play has served to connect legions of Rams fans across the country. This year, those fans should feel even closer.

Fourteen of VCU's 16 Atlantic 10 Conference games will appear on national television in 2013-14, the league announced Wednesday. In all, VCU's 21 regular season national TV contests shatter the previous program record of 18, set last year.

"We're very appreciative of the opportunity to play a record number of national TV games," Head Coach Shaka Smart said. "Our fans have done a terrific job of creating a frenzied atmosphere at the Siegel Center, and this type of exposure allows people across the country to see what VCU and Havoc are all about."

Wednesday's announcement guarantees VCU a third straight season with at least 20 nationally televised games. The Rams' 10 regular season games on the ESPN family of networks are also a program record, breaking previous mark of six in 2011-12.

In addition to the conference games, the December 28 game against Boston College will be a nationally-televised game. The specific network will be announced soon.

More VCU games are expected to be televised through the Rams' regional and local television partners. Those announcements will follow in the coming weeks.